The Blind Man of Bethsaida Made Simple

"I see men as trees, walking -- then every man clearly." (Mark 8:24-25)

In Mark 8:22-26, Jesus healed a blind man in a way He never healed anyone else: in stages. He took the man by the hand, led him out of Bethsaida, spat on his eyes, and laid His hands on him. Then He asked what the man saw. "I see men as trees, walking," the man answered honestly. So Jesus touched him again -- and he saw every man clearly.

Every other recorded healing of Jesus was immediate. This one came the way most of God's work comes in our lives: touch, question, honest answer, another touch, clarity.

Across twelve chapters, The Blind Man of Bethsaida Made Simple walks through each movement of the story: the friends who brought him, the hand that led him out of town, the humility of the spit and the hands, the question Jesus asked, the honest answer about trees walking, the second touch, the clear seeing, and the command to go home and stay out of the town. Along the way it visits the disciples' own blindness in the boat, Peter's half-sight at Caesarea Philippi, and the glorious day when we shall see Him face to face.

Every chapter is Scripture-first and explicitly Trinitarian: God the Father who opens blind eyes, Jesus Christ -- Son of God and Son of Man, Lord and Savior -- the Healer who touches again, and the Holy Spirit who enlightens the eyes of our understanding. Prayer to the Father, through Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit.

Touched. Again. Clearly. That is how He heals -- and that is how He is healing you.

More from Kimani Upshur: https://kimaniupshur.com